The Indian nettle, also known as bee balm or scarlet monard, can be propagated very well both vegetatively by division or cuttings, but also by sowing in spring. The hybrid varieties, on the other hand, can only be propagated by division and cuttings. Individual sections only grow slowly. You can find out how to proceed and what you should pay attention to in the following article.
The Indian nettle can be propagated in different ways
Share Indian nettle
As with so many perennials, we recommend dividing the perennial Indian nettles after four to five years at the latest. This type of propagation not only produces new perennials, but also prevents the mother plant from aging. Of course, like all living beings, plants also age, and over time their willingness to flower diminishes. By dividing, on the other hand, you stimulate growth and flowering again. Indian nettles can be divided in both spring and autumn.
Propagate Indian nettle by cuttings
The propagation of Indian nettle via cuttings is also quite simple. These should best be cut in early summer - June or July at the latest.
- Choose semi-ripe shoots that are between 10 and 15 centimeters long.
- These should not have any flowers, as these prevent rooting.
- Any flowers or buds that may be present are therefore removed.
- Make sure that the cutting surface is guided at a slight angle.
- This makes it easier for the cutting to absorb water.
- Also, remove all but the top two leaves.
- Plant the cuttings in potting soil.
- Place the pots in a warm, sheltered and bright place.
- However, if possible not in the direct sun.
- Keep the substrate evenly moist.
The young Indian nettles are not planted outside until the following spring and are frost-free indoors until then. You'll also need some light winter protection for the first two to three winters, as winter hardiness has yet to develop.
Propagation of Indian nettle by seed
While both the division and the propagation of cuttings always result in offspring of the same variety, propagation by sowing is an exciting field - especially if you have different species and varieties of Indian nettle in the garden and let them sow them yourself. The seeds are sown directly outdoors or in a planter from mid-May, but can also be precultured in February / March and then planted out in spring. The Indian nettle belongs to the light germs, so the seeds should not be covered or only very lightly.
tips
If you want to multiply the Indian nettle by division, do this in late summer or early autumn or, even better, in spring. Then the plants have enough time to grow.